Your Standard

“He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD’S presence as I live here on earth! I believed in you, so I said, ‘I am deeply troubled, LORD.’”—Psalm 116:8–10 NLT

Protagoras was an important Greek philosopher who lived in the fifth century BC. He believed that nothing was absolutely good or bad, true or false, and that each person was the final authority for his decisions and beliefs. He summed this up by saying, “Man is the measure of all things.”

Throughout the centuries, many people have assumed that they could measure things based on their own, subjective standards. But the Bible assures us that we cannot base our lives on our human understanding or other people.

The Bible makes it clear that all of us are flawed. God told Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” But we spend much of our time seeking to fool others. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He searches our hearts and tests our minds (Jeremiah 17:9–10 NKJV).

The psalmist realized that ultimately other people would fall short, but he could depend on God. God saved him from death. When he faced trouble and difficulty, he knew he could pray and cry out to Him.

Today, if you are going through any difficulties, remember that you can place your trust in God. You may make mistakes. Other people may fall short and disappoint you. But you can depend on God! Make Him the measure of all things in your life!

Reflection Question: What worldly philosophies are you tempted to let control your thinking?